Goodness, it’s warm. 

Whilst Toby loves a bright summer’s day as much as the next person, even he will admit that the temperature and humidity has been a little too hot for comfort. 

Luckily, his humans are clued up on how to keep him comfortable while it’s warm. He’d like to share with you a few tips on how to keep your own canine friends cool in the heat:

  1. Time going for walkies smartly. Avoid the hottest parts of the day, and instead go either early in the morning or later in the evening, when the pavements have had a chance to cool down. Burnt paws are no fun at all.
  2. Put out lots of water. You can even add a few ice cubes for extra refreshment.
  3. Get a cooling mat. There are some really clever products out there that use cooling gels inside a mat to provide heat relief. They’re wonderfully relieving when it’s hot outside. Even better is a doggy paddling pool, if you have the space! Extra points for fun, too.
  4. Provide plenty of shade. No leaving your pup outside in the baking sun or in hot cars – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your furry friend (who’s wearing a thick coat!).

 

And a few tips for human companions, too:

  1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  2. Carry a little hand fan with you for moments when you need a little extra help cooling down.
  3. Check the side effects of any medication you take. Some common medicines – such as beta-blockers, SSRIs, diuretics, and some antihistamines – can impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature and, in some cases, even reduce your body’s ability to sweat (which it uses to cool itself down). If this applies to you, take extra caution in the heat.
  4. Create airflow and reduce direct sun exposure in your home where possible. Open windows, close curtains, employ fans – anything you can do to keep the inside of your home cool will help. Houses in the UK are designed to keep heat in, which is great in the winter, but not so helpful in a hot summer.

 

We hope Toby’s tips are helpful to you in this summer heat. If all else fails, the heat is a great excuse for an ice lolly or seven.